‘Shadows’ climbs to foreground

Sequel hits big in Brazil and China

Warner Bros.’ Sherlock Holmes sequel is hardly in the shadow of it predecessor. “Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows” scored $29.6 million from 57 territories, winning its second overseas frame and bringing the pic’s international cume to $229.1 million as of Jan. 16. The pic is also outpacing the 2009 “Sherlock Holmes” by 41% at the same point in its release.

The “Sherlock” sequel benefited from expansion into key markets Brazil and China, where the film debuted to $3.3 million and $2.9 million, respectively.

In Brazil, “Shadows” did 47% better than the first pic’s opening tally locally, while Chinese totals (Sunday only) compare nicely to the first “Sherlock’s” $4 million four-day opening in China. Through Jan. 16, “Shadows” collected a total $3.9 million from both markets.

Top overall market for “Shadows” is the U.K., which has contributed $36.1 million in five weeks, followed by Russia, with $26.5 million in three weeks, and Italy, $24.5 million in five.

Jockeying for second place overseas, Paramount’s “Mission: Impossible — Ghost Protocol” and Sony’s “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo” collected $16.5 million and $16.1 million, respectively.

While “Mission” banked entirely on holdover markets to boost weekend totals, “Dragon Tattoo” bowed in nine territories, including Germany, where the pic grossed $3.4 million. Australia contributed $2.5 million to the Sony pic, followed by its next-best new market, South Korea, with $1.6 million.

Universal’s “Contraband” bowed overseas to a soft $1.4 million from just seven markets, led by Russia, with approximately $1 million. U compared the film’s Russian launch to debuts of similar thrillers like “The Town” ($833,000) and “Taking of Pelham 1 2 3″ ($818,000). “Contraband” will roll out in 56 more territories over the next four months.